The "long and horrible day" with a perfect ending

After taking one of his most impressive career victories, Thomas De Gendt told reporters how the 8th Tour stage to Saint-Etienne unfolded. "It was long and horrible day", he said, referring to the hilly course with an elevation gain of almost 4,000 metres. "But we always kept a good pace on the climbs. I had a really good feeling the whole day."